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Winner of the 2014 Bisexual Book Award for erotic fiction, author Adriana Kraft is a married couple. We write our erotic stories to entertain, of course, but most of all we write them because we believe in happy endings for all who fall in love, whatever their gender, sexual orientation or numerical combination.

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Kristine Cayne, on tour with Romance in the Rain

Today we’re thrilled to welcome Kristine Cayne, one of the featured authors in the Romance in the Rain anthology from – where else – Seattle! She’s here with a character interview from her novella, “Aftershocks.” Be sure to scroll down to the end for the tour contests ~ this tour has some fabulous prizes! Take it away, Kristine!

Hi everyone. I’m Kristine Cayne, the author of “Aftershocks”, the final novella in the Romance in the Rain anthology. “Aftershocks” is the prequel to my new firefighter romance series that begins with Under His Command, to be released this holiday season. In the meantime, I’ve got something very special lined up for you! Reporter Melanie Martin was able to snag an interview with Jamie and Erica Caldwell. The interview takes place after “Aftershocks” and before Under His Command, which is the continuation of Jamie and Erica’s story. I hope you enjoy this peek into their lives.

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This is Melanie Martin for Channel 12 News. I’m here at the Caldwell home, interviewing Jamie and Erica Caldwell, who were at the center of an amazing rescue at the King County Courthouse last week. Erica and their daughter Chloe were trapped in the courthouse following the 6.8 earthquake that struck Seattle July 14th. Jamie is a lieutenant with the Seattle Fire Department’s Technical Rescue Team, and he happened to be on duty when disaster struck. He had no idea he’d be rescuing his own family.

MM: First off, how is Chloe? I understand that she suffered a pretty severe injury to her legs.

EC: Chloe had surgery to repair a compound fracture to her right leg the day after the earthquake. She’s out of the hospital and anxious to be back on her feet. We’re just happy to have her here at home.

MM: Can you describe for us how Chloe got injured?

JC: When the main shock occurred, the floor collapsed and Chloe plunged down one level. [pauses] The vending machine she’d been checking out landed on her. [clears his throat] We’re very lucky she didn’t die.

MM: Erica, how did you feel when the main quake occurred and your daughter was still trapped?

EC: [wipes her eyes] There’s nothing worse than knowing your child’s in danger and not being able to do anything.

MM: But in fact, you did assist with the rescue, right?

JC: [takes Erica’s hand] Chloe and one of my team members are alive today because my wife is the bravest person I know. She went into a situation for which she was completely untrained and acquitted herself like a pro.

EC: Come on, Jamie. I was scared to death.

JC: None of us could have done it any better. We were all scared.

MM: From what I understand, the two of you were on the verge of divorce prior to the quake. This situation seems to have brought you back together. Has your relationship changed?

EC: [looks at her husband] It’s unfortunate that it takes almost losing something to realize to that it’s what you hold most dear.

MM: So are the two of you back together?

JC: We’re working on it.

EC: We will work on it, when you stop working 24/7. [turns to MM] The teams have been working nonstop inspecting buildings since the quake. This is only Jamie’s second time at home.

JC: After what we went through, I’m positive that we can do anything. Including putting our marriage back together.

MM: Involving a civilian in a rescue sounds quite unorthodox. Have you been threatened with disciplinary action?

EC: Have you? You never mentioned that.

JC: My butt got chewed on a bit, but the chief understands that these were extraordinary circumstances. I wasn’t even supposed to be there, but in a severe disaster, it’s all hands on deck. Normally if a family member is involved, you’re supposed to step aside, but I would have gone in there alone and taken the building apart brick by brick if I had to.

From the pioneer days of Seattle through the smoke-filled clouds of WWII and into the present, Romance in The Rain takes readers on a journey with four generations of the strong-willed and passionate Caldwell family. The anthology of six novellas is a collaboration of the Seattle-based Rainy Day Writers group.

Splendor in the Moss by Charlotte Russell—By the spring of 1853 Englishman James Caldwell has traveled thousands of miles in a quest to find a place to call home. Newly settled Seattle isn’t that place and he’s ready to move on again when widowed Mattie Jensen marches into his life as somber as a cloudy day. But James can see through the solemn haze to Mattie’s strength and passion. Now he has a reason to stay, if he can just convince Mattie to take a second chance on love—and him. (22,000 words)

Final Approachby Marianne Stillings—With the world at war, Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Service pilot Lt. Charlene (Charlie) Thompson faces personal battles as well. Pearl Harbor left her a widowed bride, certain love would never come again – but battle-scarred Capt. Joe Caldwell has other ideas for the beautiful lady flyer, if he can just keep her safe from the secret saboteur who’s already taken the life of Charlie’s best friend. (17,000 words)

Love Phantom by Dawn Kravagna—University of Washington, 1983: A great place to get an education and meet single men. Drama major Kara Caldwell prefers to hide behind the characters in her plays, yet feels pressure to live up to the example set by her brave and witty grandmother, a veteran of WWII. Can she learn to overcome her reticence and prejudices to discover which guy truly cares for her–and who is just putting on an act? (17,000 words)

What’s Wrong with Mr. Perfect? by Sherri Shaw—No sooner did Chef Ivy Turin wish to meet the perfect man than Sam Rockney walked into her restaurant. But is the sexy Seattle quarterback for real or is there something wrong with Mr. Perfect? (17,000 words)

Shelter from the Stormby Clare Tisdale—Seven years and one broken heart later, JD Caldwell returns to Seattle to pick up the pieces of his old life, never imagining he will fall for Maya—the mysterious woman who lets him into her house and bed but keeps the door to her heart tightly closed. When their summer fling takes an unexpectedly serious turn and Maya gives him his walking papers, JD has to decide whether their love—and his legacy—is worth fighting for.(21,000 words)

Aftershocks by Kristine Cayne—When Seattle is struck by a devastating earthquake, technical rescue firefighter Jamie Caldwell must save his estranged wife and daughter from the wreckage of a collapsed building. He’s defied the odds hundreds of times, but will his luck finally run out for good? (24, 000 words)

RAINY DAY WRITERS

Writing fiction is difficult and lonely and more often than not, the “normal” people in your life don’t understand the writing process and can’t fathom why you are possessed and obsessed with finding the perfect word or phrase that says exactly what you want to say right where you want to say it. Only other writers comprehend and accept that kind of torment.

To fill this need to surround herself with like-minded obsessive-compulsive self-doubting lunatics, in 2005, Marianne Stillings, who writes Romantic Suspense, established what came to be known as The Rainy Day Writers.

There were only two requirements for joining the group: You must be serious about writing and getting published, and any criticisms of co-members’ work be honest, gentle, and kind.

Over the years, the membership has changed; some people moved on, others joined. The group we have now has been stable and constant since 2009. The Rainy Day Writers are a family.

Charlotte Russell joined the group in 2006 at the suggestion of a former member. Charlotte writes Historical Romance.

Dawn Kravagna became a member in the spring of 2007 because of a writers’ list where Marianne had posted looking for new members. Dawn writes Comedy and Mystery.

In the Autumn of 2007, Sherri Shaw found her way to the group because she and Marianne happened to sit at the same table at the Emerald City Writer’s Conference that year. Sherri writes Historical Romance and Paranormal Historical Romance.

Clare Tisdale joined in 2008 as the result of an email Marianne posted on the Greater Seattle Chapter Romance Writer’s list seeking new members. Clare writes Contemporary Romance.

Kristine Cayne found the group in 2009 because she won Marianne’s raffle basket at the Emerald City Writer’s Conference that year. The basket included an offer to critique the winner’s manuscript—an evaluation that resulted in an invitation to join. Kristine writes Romantic Suspense.

Romance in the Rain Excerpts

After telling the dog to stay, he steered her away from the Jensens’ cabin, towards the woods to the south. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“Giving me the time of day. You were gone for such a long while, I wasn’t certain you’d come back.”

“I had to fight my better judgment.”

James laughed. He couldn’t put on airs around Mattie if he tried.

Final Approach by Marianne Stillings

“You were there.” Caldwell’s voice was quiet as though he were speaking to a timid child. He took a step toward her. “You saw it, didn’t you. Didn’t you, Charlie?” Another step. And another. Suddenly, he was standing before her and she was standing, too, and his arms came around her as she pressed her head against his strong shoulder and for the first time in a year, she felt safe. Safe enough to relive the agony—and let it go. Safe enough to let someone be strong—so she could be weak. Safe enough—to cry.

And so she did.

What’s Wrong with Mr. Perfect? by Sherri Shaw

“Somehow I can’t picture you as a nerd.” You’re too perfect, Ivy silently added, fingering the amulet at her throat. It hummed under her fingertips as the vendor’s words skated across her mind: If you truly want to find the perfect man, and restore your faith in true love, then this necklace will be your good luck talisman.” She dropped her hand, shaking off the crazy notion. It was merely a coincidence that she wished to meet the man of her dreams and Sam showed up. The necklace had nothing to do with it. Right?”

Shelter from the Stormby Clare Tisdale

A shadow crossed the window, and JD looked up in time to see a seagull fly by. Beyond the downtown high rises, the waters of the Puget Sound lay brooding, glazed by morning mist. Much as JD hated starting over again, he realized that if he had to, he’d rather do it here than anywhere else. Seattle was his home; he belonged here. Maya and her beach house had helped confirm that for him.

Aftershocksby Kristine Cayne

Adrenaline surging through her system, Erica hung onto the doorjamb as the quake rocked the old courthouse. The building swayed and groaned, windows rattled and shattered as the earth continued to tremble. Cracks raced across the ceiling and plaster dust showered down, covering everything in a thin white film. She’d lived in Seattle all her life but had never experienced a quake as powerful as this one.

And her daughter was all alone.

Tour Giveaway

All giveaway ends November 22, 2012 at midnight. Make sure to only enter the giveaway you are eligible for.

This sounds like an awesome anthology. Gotta love those firefighters! I can’t wait for your series. Yummy!
Thanks for sharing the great blurb and excerpts and for the awesome giveaway.
Rhonda Dslinkydennis@yahoo.com

Sabrina – thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. I think you’ll enjoy the anthology. There’s really something for everyone in it, and you’ll love the Seattle references. I hope you’ll also enjoy Under His Command when it comes out in mid-December. It’s right up your alley.

Thank you, Adriana, for blogging about our book, “Romance In The Rain”. It was a wonderful experience to participate in this project and it’s greatly appreciated that you took the time to write about it. Have a great holiday season.